History of Echo Collection Handmade Cement Tile

The Echo Tile Collection revitalizes an art form that developed in France in the mid-1800's — some say the true origins were in Barcelona — and quickly spread around the world. Unlike hand made ceramic tiles, which are usually hand painted, glazed and fired, decorative cement tiles are made by first pouring a mixture of cement and color pigment into separate compartments in a metal mold (a sort of oversized cookie cutter). This first color layer is 1/8" thick. Next we add concrete and press the tile under 2,000 pounds of pressure per square inch. This upside down cake is left to cure, creating a remarkably strong and lustrous cement tile. This process requires skill, practice, strength, and perfectionism. Granada Tile employs and provides on-going training opportunities to fine craftsmen who take pride in producing beautiful and durable tiles.

Because of the modest start-up costs, the technique of making mastercrafted cement tiles spread like wildfire to just about everywhere except Australia and the Arctic. You find splendid historic installations from Amsterdam to Phnom Pen, and from Los Angeles to Istanbul.

Not all cement tiles are created equal. Cement tiles are typically handmade in small factories. Conditions, materials and quality control vary significantly from company to company. Granada Tile works hard to bring you the best quality cement tile.

If you are comparing Granada Tiles to other cement tiles, here are some of the things to watch out for:

Visible problems:

Varying thicknesses of tile that makes it hard to lay as a flat surface - from lack of consistency in production process

Pattern is blurry - from pouring pigment sloppily

Major variations with the same color - inaccurate measuring of color pigments or poor quality pigments

Chipping around the edges - weak mixture or poor quality control

Crumbly on the back (weak tile) - from inconsistent hydraulic pressure or too much sand in the mixture

Invisible problems:

Ratio of cement to sand - without the right ratio, the tile will not be strong and durable

Quality of the pigments - if cheap pigments are used, colors may fade (even high quality blues and greens will fade in direct sun)

When in doubt, ask for the engineering test reports. These are tests that are performed based on uniform standards by an outside engineering firm. They are a good objective way to insure that specific standards are being met.

Probably because marketers didn't find "cement tile" or "concrete tile" attractive enough, this type of tile has suffered an identity crisis. In the lingo of the tile world, Granada Tile's Echo Tile Collection could be called hydraulic, encaustic, mosaic, French, Belgian, Spanish, Moroccan, Cuban, Nicaraguan, hand made tile, mastercrafted cement tile, and hand painted tile. Some of these names for cement tile are misleading and some are downright wrong.

While hardly a modern material, encaustic tiles are very popular in the home decorating and interior design world. Homeowners of all tastes are turning towards tiles, specifically cement tiles, for their unique patterns, vivid colors, and practical qualities. If you’ve been looking into this endearing material, you may have come across varying terms and descriptions, and some confusion over what you’re actually looking for. Some sources describe encaustic cement tiles, and others say cement tiles aren’t actually encaustic. So which is it?
We’ve created this blog post to help clear up any confusion you have over encaustic tiles and cement tiles, and to lay a clear foundation for what products will be best for your home projects and for the look you’re going for.

What Does Encaustic Mean?

The term encaustic means “to heat or burn in” from an ancient Greek word. Encaustic materials are produced through a process which involves heating to seal in the dyes and clays. Traditional encaustic tiles are made using clay and powdered glazes, and are fired in a coal or wood-fired kiln. The firing process heats the clay and powdered colors to seal in the design and create a hard surface. These types of tiles are technically called ceramic tiles, but many sources and even tile manufacturers have interchangeably referred to them as both ceramic and cement tiles.

The Difference Between Cement and Ceramic Tiles

Cement and ceramic tiles may look quite similar to each other, but they are actually made with very different materials and processes. Cement tiles are made with a mixture of cement, sand, pigment, and mineral powders that is poured into a metal mold that forms the pattern design. Ceramic tiles involve clays and glazes that are fired in a kiln.

Many tile buyers have become confused by the ambiguous term encaustic, since it has become normalized to describe both cement and ceramic tiles. When you’re looking at a specific product, you’ll want to do your research and contact the manufacturer to determine whether they are cement or ceramic tiles if you aren’t sure.

Are Cement Tiles Truly Encaustic?

No, cement tiles are not truly encaustic, but it is an acceptable label for cement tiles, also known as inlaid tiles. When cement tiles were first introduced during the mid-1800s, the Victorians thought they looked just like encaustic tiles which have been around for centuries, and mistakenly started referring to them as encaustic tiles also. Since then, the term has been widely used interchangeably to describe these two tile art forms.

The Features and Benefits of Encaustic Cement Tiles

Besides the varying manufacturing processes, you may wonder about the biggest differences between encaustic cement and ceramic tiles and why you would choose one over the other. Encaustic cement tiles and ceramic tiles both come in countless patterns and color combinations. They often feature designs inspired by different cultures and architectural influences. They are also both used in many types of projects, from kitchen backsplashes to floors to outdoor spaces to decorative wall features.

History has shown us that cement tiles typically hold up better than ceramic tiles and display less wear and tear over time. When comparing two different tile floors in Paris that were both installed in the early 20th century, our team found the cement tile to show less fading and wear than the ceramic tile.

When glazed, ceramic tiles are scratch-resistant and waterproof and make great materials for a kitchen backsplash, bathroom countertop, or a decorative wall feature. However, they aren’t the best for high traffic areas like floors, inside showers, or outdoor patios.

Cement tiles are more durable than ceramic tiles and make for the ideal choice for both light and heavy traffic areas in and outside your home. They make great kitchen, living room and bathroom floors, shower tiles, backsplashes, and patios and outdoor showers.

Here are a few more of the unique qualities of encaustic cement tiles which may inspire you to choose them over ceramic tiles:

Cement tiles are eco-friendly. Since they aren’t fired, they use far less energy than ceramic tiles and do not emit pollution into the air.

Cement tiles use all natural ingredients.

Cement tiles are individually handmade to create one-of-a-kind products with their own subtle variations.

Cement tiles are scratch-resistant and less likely to cause slip and falls. (It meets the standards for slip resistance established by ASTM (can’t remember what that stands for).

Cement tiles are suitable for busy areas, the outdoors, and for decorative features.

Where You Can Find Encaustic Cement Tiles

Granada Tile is the number one online manufacturer specializing in cement tiles. They have their own cement tile designs in a variety of collections and patterns, and will create a one-of-a-kind design for you if you have your own pattern and color combination in mind.

Get in contact with the sales team today at sales@granadatile.com to request a sample tile and begin the process of ordering your own unique encaustic cement tile.

Echo Collection Cement Tile Specifications and Engineering Results

Echo Collection concrete tiles have a smooth surface and are typically square or rectangular. The tiles are slightly smaller than the nominal size to allow for grout. For example, the 8" x 8" tiles are actually 7 7/8" x 7 7/8". They are made with cement/concrete, sand and color pigments and then pressed to 2,000 pounds per square inch. The top color layer is approximately 1/8" deep.

The slip resistance of the Echo Collection concrete tiles exceeds the recommended standards for accessible areas. In tests conducted according to ASTM (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials), Smith-Emery Laboratories concluded that the Dynamic Coefficient of Friction, Abrasion Resistance and Absorption properties of the Echo Collection tiles met or exceeded the standards for use in commercial projects.

With the Echo Collection tile technique, Granada Tile can produce and match a wide range of colors. However, because of the nature of the pigments and hand made process used to craft our concrete tiles, some variation in shade or hue may occur. The pigments themselves are light-resistant, but if not properly sealed and maintained, the concrete in the tiles can change color with time and weather. Blue and green pigments are particularly susceptible to fading.

A 50% non-refundable deposit is required for all non-stock and custom orders to begin production. The balance will be paid upon reception of your order. Granada Tile maintains the lawful ownership of all products until they are paid in full. Be sure to read the Terms of Sale before making your purchase.

Warranty Information

Granada Tile will replace or refund the purchase price of any defective tile. However, Granada Tile has no control over and is not responsible for the materials used to install our tile, the method used or the skill of the installer, type of maintenance, usage or amount of traffic. We do not therefore guarantee our tile against chipping, cracking, discoloring, wearing, or scratching once it has been installed. We assume no obligation beyond the purchase price of products supplied by Granada Tile and assume no liability for damages of any kind.

A small balcony is brightened by Granada Tile company’s Fez cement tile

Featured in Real Simple magazine, a small balcony gets a pop of life and color with floor of Granada Tile company’s Fez cement tile in blue and white.

Serengeti 913 A Design Handmade Cement Tile by Granada Tile Company on a Restaurant Wall

For the bar backsplash tiles, the owners chose our graphic Serengeti tile design handmade by Granada Tile company for the space. The angular lines of the cement tile patterns transmit an energy in the space.

Tile Carpet of Cluny Welcomes Shoppers at Terranea Resort's Marea

Marea, a fashion boutique at the Terranea Resort near Los Angeles, California, features a tile installation of Granada Tile's Cluny concrete tile design.

A backsplash of Salamanca Cement Tile is the key to this kitchen’s simple appeal

With only the addition of a small backsplash of Salamanca cement tiles over the store, this kitchen, designed by Michael Canty is transformed. The color scheme - white, grey, black and turquoise - really makes the area sing.

Custom Granada Tiles in BedHead PJs Shop in New York City

Designer/Contractor Hope Alexander created custom tiles in shades of green with abstract serpentine lines that Granada Tile company made for the BedHead PJs shop in New York City.

Cute Cactus on Deck with Vibrant Fez Tile

The juxtaposition of cacti and Granada Tile's Fez patterned cement tiles in blue and white is some how, well, cute.

Granada Tile company’s hand made Torino cement tiles in a black and white tile pattern cover the bathroom floor in this industrial-chic space by Portland-based designer Jessica Helgerson which first appeared in The New York Times.

A Cluny tile backsplash bestows the allure of the French countryside on this traditional kitchen

The addition of a backsplash composed of Granada Tile company’s Cluny cement tile in swirls of black and white pairs with wooden beams to bring warmth to this traditional.

At Otium Restaurant, the restaurant adjacent to The Broad Museum in downtown Los Angeles, Tamara Kaye-Honey of House of Honey designed a floor that mixes Granada Tile company’s black, white, silver and grey hexagon-shaped cement tiles with wood, echoing the diversity and complexity of the city outside its doors.

This office kitchen, by and for Casey Roy Design in San Antonio Texas, illustrates the impact of a bold backsplash. Granada Tile company’s Ardoz cement tiles in black and white help take traditional cabinetry boldly into the present.

Cluny Cement Tile highlights the cabinetry in a pale blue kitchen

In this Philadelphia kitchen, designed by inHabit Architecture & Design, Granada Tile company’s Cluny cement tile graces the backsplash. The concrete tiles contain a hint of pale blue that matches the cabinetry in this modern traditional kitchen.

In this spacious open plan Los Angeles kitchen, designed by Commune, which first appeared in Elle Decor, a custom-colored kitchen tile floor of Granada Tile company’s expanded Sofia cement tiles anchors the bright blue cabinetry of this exuberant contemporary kitchen.

Granada Tile Company’s Alhambra cement tiles cover the entryway of a Seattle home

In a Craftsman-style home outside Seattle, owner David Schneider chose Granada Tile Company’s Alhambra cement tiles from their flagship Echo Collection, to brighten up the entryway of his Seattle home.

When New York’s beloved bistro Cafe Noir relocated from Soho to Tribeca, the restaurant grabbed the opportunity to redesign the restaurant to reflect the tinge of Moroccan influences in its French fare. A beautiful floor of Granada Tile Company’s Copenhagen cement tiles fit the bill perfectly.

Granada Tile Company Sofia cement tile covers the entryway of a Spanish-style home in Los Angeles

Steve Jones, owner of Better Shelter, chose Granada Tile Company’s Sofia cement tile for the entryway floor tile of his Los Angeles home. The house was photographed by Marcia Prentice for her book, “How We Live”.

Popular karaoke bar Breakroom 86 located in the bottom of The Line Hotel in Los Angeles’ Koreatown neighborhood, uses Granada Tile Company’s Serengeti cement tile laid out in a pattern of regular squares.

Restauranteur and designer Arsalun Tafazoli converted the roof of a historic building in San Diego into a popular lounge, covering the bar at its centerpiece in Granada Tile Company’s blue and white Fez cement tiles.

At Moby’s, a popular pizza restaurant in New York’s East Hampton, the pizza oven sports a frame of Granada Tile Company’s Fez cement tiles in black and white.

Granada Tile Company’s Serengeti cement tiles in black and cream cover the floor at New York’s The Smith

At New York’s The Smith in the East Village, Granada Tile Company’s Serengeti cement tiles offset white subway tiles, industrial lights and wooden tables, adding up to a lively bistro atmosphere that references the city’s historic roots.

To celebrate the launch of her new website, Mane Addicts, celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin tapped Consort Design to transform her rooftop deck. Building on a foundation of Granada Tile Company’s cement tiles, the patio is now an urban oasis.

Simple furniture, a display of paper flags on the ceiling and colorful Granada Tile Company’s Copenhagen cement tile on the floor bring the festive atmosphere of a Mexican street fair to Mission Cantina, a Mexican eatery in New York.

A black and white Cluny cement tile floor add a luxurious note to an opulent bathroom

The elegance of a four star hotel-style bathroom designed by Deirdre Doherty Interior Design, which appeared in House Beautiful’s Bathroom of the Month, is underlined by the addition of Granada Tile Company’s Cluny cement tile in black and white.

Adrianna Lopez' Tropical Fez Bathroom

Chantilly Tiles in Bathroom designed by Mission Tile West

Chantilly cement tiles with the custom colors manage to be subtle and bold simultaneously. The bathroom was designed by Mission Tile West with tiles made by Granada Tile company. Photograph by Brian Sanderson.

Mimbres cement tiles give this small bathroom big impact

Michael Canty tiled this bathroom with exuberance in Granada Tile company’s Mimbres cement tiles, using this intricate pattern as both bathroom floor tile and wall tile.

With a nod to her Cuban heritage, Kristy Socarras Bigelow created a patchwork wall in the kitchen nook of her own home in Colorado using Granada Tile company’s cement tile designs in a variety of tile patterns.

A mix of black and white cement tiles from Granada Tile Company’s Echo Collection color the risers on a flight of stairs

With a nod to this home’s Spanish Revival roots, a mix of cement tile patterns brings visual interest and a note of whimsy to the risers on a flight of stairs. Chosen from Granada Tile Company’s Echo Collections, the tile patterns, including Bordeaux, Beaune, Astorga, Cluny, Fez, and Santa Fe, find harmony through their tightly controlled palette of black and white and grey.

Located in the tony Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles, this elegant bathroom designed by Deirdre Doherty Interior Design and featuring Granada Tile Company's Cluny cement tile appeared as House Beautiful’s Bathroom of the Month.

Cement Kitchen Floor Tile Badajoz 912 B Design in Black and White

Dramatic black and white cement tile in Badajoz 912 B design hand made by Granada Tile company for a project by Jessica Helgerson Interior Design.

Playful Cement Tile for Man's Best Friend

Even canine companions love Granada Tile company. At the Dog Ranch Bed & Biscuit, Fariba Kashef, of Archarium, used Granada Tile company’s Castelo design for the company's office floor tiles. To see more about the Dog Ranch and our cement tile there, be sure to read about it at www.granadatile.com/blog/2012/07/03/breaking-news-the-dog-ranch-bed-biscuit/

Cement Tiles in Black and Chocolate Handmade by Granada Tile company for the Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Ever so subtle black and chocolate cement tiles. Based on a custom design by Tihany Design, these tiles were made by Granada Tile company for the Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Las Vegas.

Cluny Cement Tile highlights the cabinetry in a pale blue kitchen

In this Philadelphia kitchen, designed by inHabit Architecture & Design, Granada Tile company’s Cluny cement tile graces the backsplash. The concrete tiles contain a hint of pale blue that matches the cabinetry in this modern traditional kitchen.

At Otium Restaurant, the restaurant adjacent to The Broad Museum in downtown Los Angeles, Tamara Kaye-Honey of House of Honey designed a floor that mixes Granada Tile company’s black, white, silver and grey hexagon-shaped cement tiles with wood, echoing the diversity and complexity of the city outside its doors.

Normandy cement tiles used as elegant bathroom and shower tile

Granada Tile company’s hand made Normandy cement tiles used as bathroom and shower tile highlight the femininity of bathroom.

Granada Tile Company’s Serengeti cement tile makes a deck pop

This assertively Modern bathroom by Bestor Architecture is striking and beautiful with its strong black and white diagonal floor (Granada Tile's Santander cement tile pattern) and it's playful wall behind the sink with multiple combinations of color in the Maldon tile.

Granada Tile Company’s Copenhagen cement tile covers the floor at Proof Restaurant at The Four Seasons in Scottsdale, Arizona

Designed by Paul Duesing Design Partners, Proof Restaurant in The Four Seasons in Scottsdale, Arizona is informed by the location’s history as a stagecoach hitching post. The red, white and blue color scheme is picked up by Granada Tile company’s Copenhagen cement tiles covering the floor. Their swirling pattern is reminiscent of the bandannas worn by cowboys.

The Beachwood Café has a bright, cheerful decor, enhanced by Granada Tile company's Khufu 931 (pyramid-shaped) design tiles in blue and mustard. The Café's design is by Bestor Architects who also did the Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea in Silverlake with Granada Tile company's Fez 928 A iconic design. Photo from the L.A. Weekly, taken by Jessica Ritz.

Playing with Contrast Using our Cluny Tile Design

By simply changing up your colors, you can totally transform the look of our cement tiles. Here, a bathroom tile installation by Ken Koonce gets a jolt of high-contrast with our Cluny cement tile design in black and white. Special thanks to designer/builder/photographer Ken Koonce for the use of the photograph.

Bestor Architecture has set a new standard for modern design with this sleek, yet cheerful bathroom, featuring two of Granada Tile's sensational cement tiles: Santander stripes on the floor and Maldon playful triangles on the wall of the shower.

Black and white Badajoz cement tiles from Granada Tile company

In a dramatic black library in Portland, created by interior designer Jessica Helgerson, a large multi-paned window finds its counterpoint in a floor of Granada Tile company’s Badajoz cement tiles in black and white.

Black and White Cluny Cement Tiles in a Stunning Bathroom

Ken Koonce chose our Cluny cement tile design in a crisp black-and-white color combination for an expansive bathroom. Special thanks to designer/builder/photographer Ken Koonce for the use of the photograph.

Bold Fez for a Chic Bathroom

Tile walls make for drama and durability in bathrooms. Edward Solis chose Granada Tile company's Fez design in a bold black-and-white combination. It's a great counterpoint to the pale blue of the other walls and lends an Art Deco feel to the cement tile installation.

Chic Fez Cement Tile Bathroom Floor

Architect Barbara Bestor did a stunning cement floor tile installation using our Fez cement tile design. Its bold colors are picked up in the vanity. Photo courtesy of Bestor Architecture.

Stylish bathroom by Ken Koonce gets a soothing, earthtones cement tile floor in Granada Tile company's Cluny design. Special thanks to designer/builder/photographer Ken Koonce for the use of the photograph.

Cluny Cement Tile Design in Vintage Bathroom

Floral cement tile design of St. Tropez adds pattern to a serene bathroom by Design Vidal.

Anchoring the glamor of Elizabeth Arden’s famous Red Door Salon in Union Square in New York City, the floor is paved in Granada Tile company’s Firenze cement tiles, custom colored in black and white. The swirling pattern adds to the space’s feminine allure.

Handmade Cement Tile on Café Wall and Floor with Normandy 941 A Design in White and Grey

Patchwork tile installations have to be one of our favorite cement tile installations, and we love the one at Go Greek in Beverly Hills, designed by ModMan. In a range of blues, the concrete tile installation by Granada Tile company is a treat for the eye—just as the yogurt is for the taste buds.

Granada Tile Company Encaustic Tile Pattern Sofia in a Custom Colorway on a Patio

Jennifer Hamelet, of Mirador Builders, went with the cement tile pattern Sofia in a custom colorway. It creates a unified feel, and the warm tones of the cement tiles harmonize with the Spanish feel of the house.

Our clients installed our Barcelona tile design, a lively cement tile pattern, in a combination of mustard, green and coral. It sets just the right tone for the historic space, originally designed by architect Carl Lindbom in San Clemente, California.

Granada Tile worked with artist Michelle Weinberg to create custom cement tiles for Shadow Canopy, a piece commissioned by Miami-Dade County Art in Public Places for the county’s reconstructed GSA Trade Shops facility. In all, she used 3,000 square feet of cement, encaustic tile from Granada Tile company for the project.

Cement Tile with Chantilly Design in Outdoor Patio at the Pasadena Showcase House

The sensational carpet created by these cement tiles from Granada Tile company gives a whole new meaning to a room with a view. If you are lucky enough to know the owners of the Pasadena Showcase House, you might get a chance to see it. This beautiful outdoor environment was created by Sacred Space Garden Design.

Fez Geometric Cement Tile Design on Counter Front at Bar Area in Hollywood

Ariel Fox chose cement tiles from Granada Tile company for the pool area at Rubix, a luxury apartment building in Hollywood. Here, Fez geometric cement tile in black and white accents the front of the bar area near the barbecues.

Concrete Kitchen Floor Tile Badajoz 912 B Design in Black and White

Jessica Helgerson Interior Design remodeled the kitchen of a Portland, Oregon, condominium using Granada Tile company’s Badajoz 912 B concrete tile pattern in black and white, harmonizing with the strong lines of the rest of the space. Em Shephard was the project manager.

Copenhagen Tile Design Handmade by Granada Tile Company for the Bouchon Bistro in Beverly Hills

New York design firm Tihany Design chose Granada Tile company's Copenhagen design in a custom colorway to add a lively and elegant French flair to Bouchon Bistro Restaurant Bar in Beverly Hills.

Cement Tile Kitchen Backsplash Fez 928 A Blue and White Design

Design Vidal, a longtime Granada Tile company client, opted for the exotic motif that Fez 928 A cement tile blue and white design gives to this kitchen backsplash.

Normandy cement tiles in gorgeous bathroom designed by Jaimee Rose

The swirling curlicues of Granada Tile Company’s hand made Normandy cement tiles used as bathroom tile and shower tile highlight the femininity of this bathroom.

Granada Tile company’s Cluny cement tile in black and white

Echoing the pattern of the ceiling, designer Tamara Kaye Honey of House of Honey confined Granada Tile Company’s Cluny cement tile in black and white within a black grid, bringing elegant formality to the breakfast room of an Altadena home.

Designer Jessica Helgerson turned the industrial space into a playful, comfortable spot perfect for a quick drink or lively dinner with friends. Helgerson went for Granada Tile company´s Fez 928B tile design for the bar area. The tile installation adds a striking geometric pattern to the restaurant.

Cement Tile Restaurant Backdrop Wall in Sofia 55 A Design

Granada Tile company’s Sofia-55A cement tile design provides a vibrant backdrop for the tapas served at Black Bull restaurant in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. The bright colors of the decorative tile pattern play off the heavier shades of the furnishing ensuring a truly lively experience.

Cement Tile Study Floor in Venezia 901 Custom Design

The homeowners picked custom colors to create a vibrant and organic cement tile carpet in their study. The decorative tile is Granada Tile’s Venezia 901 pattern.

The simple graphic look of the Granada Tile company’s Fez 928 A cement tile blue and white design is at once modern and exotic, working well on this studio office kitchen backsplash and floor. Designed by Shubin + Donaldson Architects.

Granada Tile's Serengeti designed cement tiles welcome you to the Smock Cafe and Wonder Workshop

The Smock Cafe and Wonder Workshop is a charming hybrid of cafe and hands on arts. The interior design is by Sarah Keenleyside, complete with wrap around cement tile counter in Granada Tile's Serengeti pattern.

Custom Cement Tile Company Designs in Teal and White for Delphine Restaurant in Hollywood

These Cannes and Monaco cement tiles were designed by MARKZEFF and handmade by Granada Tile company for Delphine Restaurant at the W Hotel in Hollywood. The two designs complement each other perfectly but are different enough, to give the tile installation a smart, rhythmic quality. Against the warm shades of the space, the teal blue offers a great splash of color.

Especially dramatic is the floor to ceiling wall of Cluny patterned cement tile in the shower, complete with tiled shower niche. This bathroom is in Rhode Island and is perfect for overcast days that call for a little pizzazz.

Cement Tiles in Black and Chocolate Handmade by Granada Tile Company for Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Ever so subtle black and chocolate cement tiles. Based on a design by Tihany Design, these custom cement tiles were made by Granada Tile company for the Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Las Vegas.

Bucharest cement tile brings vintage flair to a Los Angeles home

In order to maintain the historical integrity of this space, long-time Granada Tile company clients Karen and Guy Vidal chose Bucharest cement tile for the bathroom floor of this vintage home.

Barcelona Cement Tile Custom Made by Granada Tile Company for Outdoor Installation

Mirador Builders assures a lovely, sunny entrance to a stately mansion by lining the walls with Granada cement and concrete tiles in Barcelona 881 design. Mirador Builders selected the color combination and Granada Tile company made the cement tiles to order.

Turning to their summer home in Greece for inspiration, a young Southern California couple chose Granada Tile company’s Estrella cement tiles in sunny shades of sky, yellow, white and blue for their bathroom floor tile.

Hokkaido cement tiles in shades of blue from Granada Tile Company's Echo Collection, brighten the fireplace of a ranch house in Encino designed by VonFitz Design. The architect on the project was Jeff Troyer.

The Fullerton Dripp Coffee location is a big bright cheerful place to have a superb cup of coffee and other delicious treats. One of the treats for the eyes is the expanse of Granada Tile encaustic cement tiles in the Toscano pattern extending throughout the cafe.

Alhambra Cement Tile Design for Bathroom Shower

Granada Tile company's Alhambra pattern in blue and white has a crisp, geometric elegance. Stand a few feet back and the effect is pure lace. Designer/builder Hope Alexander developed this colorway using Granada Tile company's Echo Collection customizable catalog.

A St. Tropez Touch in a Lovely Bathroom

Exuberant colors and textures, including a contribution from Granada Tile company's St. Tropez cement tile design, enliven a bathroom by Ken Koonce. Special thanks to designer/builder/photographer Ken Koonce for the use of the photograph.

Modern Nearly Nautical Bathroom by Bestor Architecture

This bathroom by Bestor Architecture has an almost nautical feel with the stripes and the round window to the bathroom. To create those striking stripes, Bestor Architecture brought in Granada Tile's Santander cement tile in white and black.

Barbara Bestor Architecture True Blue Bathroom

Architect Barbara Bestor is a master of intense, vibrant color. In this blue bathroom, she works her magic with a little help from blue and white Serengeti cement tiles by Granada Tile.

Granada Tile company's Serengeti 913 A design cement tile floor dances with the bright Moroccan colors of the furnishings and lighting fixtures. See it live at the Terranea Grill, Terranea Resort and Spa.

Serengeti 913 A Geometric Tile Design Handmade by Granada Tile Company for the Catalina Kitchen at the Terranea Resort and Spa

Granada Tile company's Serengeti cement tile design in black and cream can hold its own in a refined elegant setting like the Catalina Kitchen at the Terranea Resort and Spa.

Granada Tile’s custom Cluny 688 cement tile evokes the warming function of the fireplace it surrounds. The decorative tiles St. Tropez-883A on the floor of this ocean view deck were also handmade for Terranea Resort and Spa project.

Cement Tiles on Floors and Walls at the Rancho Santana Club House

Custom colored cement tiles from the Echo Collection designs hand made by Granada Tile company for exterior and interior areas at the Club House at the Rancho Santana Resort in Nicaragua.

Cement Tiles on Floors and Walls at the Rancho Santana Club House

Custom colored cement tiles from the Echo Collection designs hand made by Granada Tile company for exterior and interior areas at the Club House at the Rancho Santana Resort in Nicaragua.

Cement Tiles on Floors and Walls at the Rancho Santana Club House

Custom colored cement tiles from the Echo Collection designs hand made by Granada Tile company for exterior and interior areas at the Club House at the Rancho Santana Resort in Nicaragua.

At Teleferic Barcelona in Walnut Creek, Cluny cement tiles from Granada Tile Company cover the bar

At Teleferic Barcelona in Walnut Creek, the American branch of a popular Spanish tapas restaurant, Arcsine Architecture chose Granada Tile company’s Cluny cement tile to cover the bar looking over the open kitchen.